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The former Manchester United stalwart believes the struggling Germany international would have benefited from the privileges the Portugal superstar enjoyed at Old Trafford

Gary Neville believes Arsene Wenger is responsible for Mesut Ozil’s recent struggles and should have afforded his record signing the sort of privileges Sir Alex Ferguson afford Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

Ozil endured another disappointing night, substituted at half time with a hamstring injury following an anonymous display, as the Gunners exited the Champions League at the last 16 stage at the hands of Bayern Munich for the second season in succession.

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The Germany international appeared to have returned to his best form during the crushing 4-1 win over Everton in the FA Cup last weekend but cut a dejected and frustrated figure at the Allianz Arena and Neville feels he is paying the price for being overburdened by his manager.

“Ozil getting a hard time. He's obviously dipped this last couple of months and the first season in a new league (without a Christmas break) can take some getting used to even with the price tag,” tweeted the former Manchester United stalwart.

“At the moment looks like he's finding it difficult mentally. However Arsenal are better for having him and he will return stronger.

“On the lack of a Christmas break--- no excuse really for an experienced manager. He could have given him one first two weeks in January - Ronaldo used to get one!”

With the Champions League slowly approaching its business end, the race for the top scorer title is hotting up.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo sat top of the goalscoring charts following the group stage with nine strikes, but last week Zlatan Ibrahimovic leapfrogged him with a double in Paris Saint-Germain's 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Ronaldo and Madrid are yet to play the first leg of the last 16, though, so the Portuguese has the chance to add to his tally in Wednesday's away game against Schalke.

Elsewhere, Lionel Messi has not given up on the Champions League Golden Boot. The Argentine currently sits on seven goals, with Barcelona all but through to the quarter-finals at the expense of Manchester City.

The Premier League giants have two candidates for the top scorer title in the form of Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo, but both will have to be at their best in the second leg at Barca if they are to overturn a 2-0 deficit and threaten Ibrahimovic.

Another striker who will still be dreaming of challenging for top spot is Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa, who has now netted five times following his winner against AC Milan last week.

Additionally, outsiders such as Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund), Edinson Cavani (PSG) and Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) are all still in contention, but will have to find their scoring touch in the next few games if they are to have a realistic shot at the Champions League Golden Boot.